Macgregor Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Macgregor 22 by James Girgenti

Year built	1970
Location of boat	Manahawkin, Barnegat Bay, N.J.
The boat is sailed on	Bays, sounds, or protected salt water
How the boat is used	Day sailing
Normal wind strength	10-15 knots
Average size of crew	2-4
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	1999
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	I would like to find a boat as good as mine today. It is sad that the selection of 22' boats at reasonable prices are so few. My boat cost $150.00 with fair sails. I used the sails for two years.
Gear that's been added	Over the years I have added, new sails,new lines,new standing rigging,sliding gooseneck,windex,mast top light, fordeck light,longer jib tracks,moved all control lines to cockpit,windward center boom traveler,preventer,new outboard(9.9 Merc),bow rail,toe rails,new cabin top slides,flotation,cockpit cushions,compass,GPS,Depthfinder,clutch type winch, transom ladder,hatch screens,curtins,& porta-potty,single line main reefing,main & jib sail covers.
Structural or complex improvements	I removed the swing keel and all old glass to bare metal,than re-shaped with bondo and new glass. New stainles steel rudder plates & rudder kick up.I renoved all the cabin overhead glass & rotted core, than glassed in new 3/8 plywood & re-glassed,& covered with paneling.The bottom flexed next to the centerboard trunk so I glassed in 3/8 plywood panels on both sides. The entire cabin was remodeled & the layout changed to better suit our type of sailing.
The boat's best features	The venture 22 that I own is ideal for my waters. The boat sails very well in all conditions has no dad habits, and looks good. The 1970 Venture hos good lines and a unique bow cockpit that is a handy & safe place to sit or anchor. The swing keel provides us with the best of both worlds.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	I can't find any week points on my boat. All of the repairs I had to do was from previous owners neglect. I would like to see how some of today's new boats look & perform in 33 years.
Sailing characterisitcs	The V 22 sails very well. I have added many sail controls to help me sail. We keep up with most boats in our class & some that are much larger! The boat is light & needs to be tacked a little slower than the heaver boats. To come about allow the jib to backwind a little than use a wide sheeting angle to help build up speed than trim, and the boat will take off.I reef the main at 15 mph. and always use only the working jib. The aft angled spreaders keep the main from going all the way out when going down wind. I use a pole to keep the jib out and down wind speed is good. We always use the preventer.
Motoring characterisitcs	The 9.9 Merc. moves the boat very well. Don't forget to leave some board down to help with steering.
Liveability	The boat is a great daysailer,two people overnight or longer. All things equal it is a fun boat. You can change your cabin to best suit your sailing needs.
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	No Dealer
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any
Other comments	I think some people have a bad impression of the Venture MacGregor line. Thease boats were built well for a good price,have introduced many families to the joys of sailing and continue to do so today. I would not part with my 33 year old boat. When I cant sail any more I hope the "One Particular Harbor" gives the same pleasures to my grand children.

Contact
About
Terms of Use